Page 56 of Knuckles

“What’s on your mind, darling?” Crusher asks, and I shrug.

“My dad thinks I should open my own gallery in town instead of moving out of state,” I murmur, not knowing what else to say.

“You should,” Crusher admits, “and not because I don’t want to lose one of my best friends, but because your work is fucking amazing.”

I look at him with a furrowed brow.

How would?

“How do you know what my work looks like?” I ask in confusion, “I haven’t showcased it in,” I frown, “maybe seven, eight years.”

“I stole a sketch out of your book and Trick has it framed on his wall,” I hear the love of my life confess, and I look at him wide-eyed.

“You, what?” I demand slowly, and Trick sucks his bottom lip into his mouth to stop himself from laughing while Crusher abruptly stands and says, “You know what, I think I’m getting a job,” and Trick's laughter escapes, but I don’t take my eyes off my boyfriend, whom I am going to castrate.

Hey, it isn’t like I’ll be able to get pregnant anyhow, huh?

That thought dims my anger a little and brings in some sadness, and I clear my throat as Crusher kisses my head and whispers, “Think about the gallery, darling, you’ll fucking rock it,” before he pats Liam on the back and leaves.

“You’re not getting that sketch back. Clark fucking loves it and she’s demanding more like it,” Trick says, “But you can now leave, and I’m only a call away if there is a problem, or hopefully, a few doors away.”

He side-eyes Liam, who shakes his head, before Trick pats his back and leaves us too.

“When did you have time to take the sketch?” I ask as I slowly stand and he quickly moves, wrapping his arm around my waist, helping me, and I smile.

“I’m okay,” I say, but he doesn’t let me go, instead, he runs his fingers through my hair from the side of my face, his eyes taking me in.

“I took it the day I decided to go radio silent. You were asleep and I just, I went through that book and realized how much you fucking loved me, scars and all. Scars I didn’t know you knew existed, scars I had tattooed over because I hated that my mom hurt me, that she blamed me for her lifestyle and I knew I had tobetter myself to be worthy of your love. I knew I had to fight for us, I just didn’t know you were going to be taken, that we’d lose our baby we didn’t know about, and I’d nearly lose you.” he rasps and a few tears fall.

“I love you, Liam,” I choke, and he half smiles as he replies, “I know, and I love you so fucking much, you’ve become the reason why I breathe.” We lock eyes, “I want forever with you, Kodi, but I also need you to open up to me.”

“What do you want to know?” I relent without missing a beat.

I won’t lie to him, not when he’s been so honest with me.

“Cans and your mom had an affair?” he confirms, and I nod.

“I walked in on it when I was sixteen after winning an art show at school, gaining a temporary job at the best art gallery in the state, where I began working full-time, my dream job. Mom threatened Benny’s job while Cans threatened to have me raped if I told Dad. Mom was helping Cans keep his men out of jail, and Dad had no idea. I didn’t speak to her after that,” I admit.

“Then she passed?” he asks, and I nod again.

“I was nineteen, in college, loving my life despite not having anything to do with her. She tried, but was still screwing that thug when Dad pulled me out of my job after telling me Mom was killed,” I admit, “Turns out Cans was locked up, and she promised to get him out, but Dad refused. He had her raped then killed her for it, and Dad began to control my life. He forced me out of my dream and into the academy, messed up every chance I had at moving out, and before we got together, he was trying to force me to marry Masters. He knew he could control me through him, and he wanted me to take a higher role within the force, a role Benny deserves.”

Liams jaw tenses and I sigh, “It wasn’t until recently that I learned he’d found out about the affair and while apart of him was trying to protect me, the other part was punishing me. He knew I knew about the affair, he just didn’t know about thethreats and honestly, the reason why I never kissed anyone, why I never lost my virginity, is because I no longer believed in love. I didn’t believe in marriage which is when I wanted to wait to be with someone and I didn’t want to be a whore like my mother. Then you came along and made me fall for you.”

He hums as he grips my hair, then confirms, “Your dad is the one who smacked you?”

I swallow hard, but again, I won’t lie to him, so I nod in confirmation, and he takes a deep breath when I explain, “He told me to end things with you, and I refused.”

Liam’s jaw ticks before he snaps, “Let's go home,” and I raise a brow at him.

“And what home, my love, is that? Or are we going back to the motel?” I ask, and he melts at the endearment before he bends slightly and kisses my lips, setting my body instantly on fire.

“The six-bedroom home I had built behind the clubhouse two doors down from Tricks,” he admits, and I nod.

“You’re keeping your patch?” I ask but he shrugs.

“I don’t know, I love my club, I grew up wanting to make the brothers proud. Being a club bunny’s brat, I was looked at differently, treated like an enemy of the club, and now everyone is trying to make it up to me, the brothers want to fight for me, and I don’t fucking know how I feel about it,” he admits, and I hum.